The Israel Hayom Summit opened Wednesday in New York, bringing together senior figures from Israel and the US, government officials, business leaders, heads of organizations and prominent members of the Jewish world.
Held for the second consecutive year at the InterContinental hotel in Manhattan, in the presence of Israel Hayom publisher Prof. Miriam Adelson, the summit features discussions, interviews and panel sessions addressing the major challenges facing Israel, the US and the Jewish world.
In a special address focusing on social resilience, education and rebuilding Israeli society, Rashi Foundation CEO and former Education Ministry Director-General Michal Cohen spoke about the heavy toll of three years of war and the need for long-term recovery.
"We are gathered here in the midst of a deep political crisis in Israel, following three particularly challenging years for the country and its citizens, years marked by war, pain and deep wounds in Israeli society," Cohen said. "Our shared responsibility goes beyond restoring what has been destroyed and lost. It is also about creating new opportunities and fostering long-term growth that will secure our future."
'A strong north and south are essential to a strong Israel'
Cohen placed particular emphasis on restoring life to communities along Israel's northern and southern borders. "A nation truly recovers only when its people have a place where they genuinely feel at home," she said. "Bringing people back to their homes is only the first step. The real and fundamental challenge is giving them good reasons to stay. That means making substantial investments in education, creating quality jobs, strengthening local communities and opening doors to new opportunities.
"The road ahead is long, and there is still much work to be done. But for the communities of the north and south, the need is immediate and urgent. A strong north and south are essential to a strong State of Israel."
According to Cohen, the key to success lies in cooperation across sectors. "Every sector, the public sector, the business sector and civil society, has a unique and critical role to play. Partnerships allow us to reach further, create a broader impact and achieve results that no single organization could accomplish alone. At this moment, philanthropy has a decisive role to play. It has the flexibility, resources and courage to lead cross-sector partnerships and lay the foundations for growth over the coming decades."
'Our shared future matters more than any disagreement'
Cohen also reflected on the lessons of the war for Israeli society and the nation as a whole. "We have learned a profound lesson about ourselves as a society. We have discovered how strong we are when we stand together, and how vulnerable and weak we become when we are divided. Mutual responsibility and solidarity must continue to serve as our moral compass, guided by the timeless Jewish principle, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
"We are allowed to hold different opinions. We are allowed to argue and disagree. But we must always remember that our shared future matters more than any of the disagreements that divide us."
Quoting Pirkei Avot, Cohen said, "It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you free to neglect it."
"Guided by this belief, we at the Rashi Foundation invest at every stage of life, from early childhood through employment, to ensure that every boy and girl in Israel has a fair and equal opportunity to succeed."
'The war proved there is no "us" and "them"'
Cohen devoted a significant portion of her address to the strategic and emotional bond between Israel and Diaspora Jewry. "When the State of Israel came under attack, there was no such thing as 'us' and 'them.' Jewish communities around the world immediately mobilized, offered support, helped in every possible way, raised their voices and stood firm against waves of hatred and antisemitism. You proved that the partnership between us is a moral and spiritual anchor for the entire Jewish people."
She added that this solidarity must work both ways. "At the same time, we in Israel have a clear responsibility to stand alongside Jewish communities around the world and ensure that Israel always remains a safe home for every Jew, wherever they may be. The past few years have been a powerful reminder that we share one destiny."
Cohen concluded with a message of optimism and hope. "I insist on remaining optimistic because I see communities rising again and rebuilding their lives, and young people determined to build a better future. We face a task of historic importance: to turn pain into hope, loss into renewal, and crisis into an opportunity to build a stronger future. Let us show the entire world that Israel has not only the strength to defend itself, but also the power to rebuild, to grow and to secure a prosperous future for generations to come."
